Lions Club celebrates 80 years

Monday

On Dec. 2, the Colon Lions Club celebrated a milestone of being in existence for 80 years.

On Dec. 2, the Colon Lions Club celebrated a milestone of being in existence for 80 years.

The evening before they shared cupcakes during the annual Christmas in Colon event at Five Star Pizza with several Lions on hand.

On Dec. 2, 1937, charter members of the Colon Lions Club signed a charter identifying the newest organization in town.

Many names are easily recognized as early Colon residents with a few famous magicians as well. Percy Abbott, Recil Bordner, and George Conklin are familiar with E. H. Davis, Virgil Farrand, and Lloyd Frisbie also being family names in Colon. An additional 14 signatures are included in the historical document. The charter was on display during the Christmas in Colon celebration along with the former Lioness group’s certificate of organization.

In October 1994, the Colon Lions Club sponsored a Lioness Club of Colon to assist in the work of the group. Their original members numbered 34 and all signed the certificate. Unfortunately within a few years, it was decided by the state organization to disband the Lioness Club and incorporate the female members into the Lions Club.

Currently, Colon Lions Club membership is at 32 members with many projects available to participate in with a variety of interests, reflecting their motto “We Serve.” There are three different levels of projects including community, state and international, and local fund-raising. The community projects focus primarily on Colon, but have far-reaching effects. They support the food pantry and the caring kitchen as well as the Magi Youth Soccer Organization and Halloween Costume Party.

The efforts that extend beyond the city limits are Walk for Warmth, a regular Red Cross Blood Drive, and Eyeglass Collection Boxes. Within the list of the state and international projects are several familiar ones like Leader Dogs for the Blind, Eversight (formerly the Michigan Eye Bank), Camp Leo for Challenged Children, and Paws for a Cause. Fundraising efforts help them continue to do all the services they can by providing the funds for the projects. Colon participates in the White Cane Days in June and the “Magic” Trading Pins.

The Colon Lions Club is led by President Kelly Pucci with Vice President Becky Jackson, Treasurer Glenn Blackman, Secretary Mary Ann Zimmerman, and Russ Adrianson promotes the membership drive. The group belongs to District 11-B2 which includes clubs from the area to South Haven.

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